THE World Boxing Organisation (WBO) have ordered heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to defend his title against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker.
Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, won the WBO title in September 2021 with a unanimous decision win over Anthony Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Ukrainian also picked up the IBF and WBA titles in the process. Eleven months later Usyk would face Joshua again but this time in Jeddah. In a much closer contest Usyk won again but was pushed harder by the Brit who lost by split decision.
In August 2023 Usyk fulfil a WBO mandatory obligation against Daniel Dubois in Poland. The champion controlled the majority of the fight but there was controversy over a low blow in round five which had the champion on the floor and in considerable pain. Usyk recovered and proved too good for Dubois knocking him out in the ninth round. However, Dubois’ team led by promoter Frank Warren insisted their man had been robbed of victory believing their fighter landed a legal blow in the fifth round and not an illegal one as referee Luis Pabon had ruled.
In recent months Usyk, 23-0 (14 KOs), and Dubois, 22-2 (21 KOs), have been linked to a rematch against one another. This time around it would be for the undisputed title with Dubois the current IBF champion and the other three titles in Usyk’s hands. On Wednesday the 38-year-old’s promoter Alex Krassyuk told Sky Sports News, “We are now working on this fight [Usyk vs Dubois 2], Wembley as one of the options.”
However, the WBO’s letter, dated March 13, to Krassyuk and Parker’s promoter Frank Warren has given both teams 30 days to reach a deal. Should no deal be made then purse bids will be ordered.
Parker, a former WBO champion, has been a fighter reborn since linking up with trainer Andy Lee. The 33-year-old New Zealander won the WBO’s Interim belt against Zhilei Zhang 12 months ago. Before that, in December 2023, Parker outsmarted former WBC titlist Deontay Wilder to kick off a three-fight win streak which culminated with a second round stoppage win against Martin Bakole last month. Parker, 36-3 (24 KOs), had been set to challenge IBF champion Dubois that night but the Londoner withdrew from the contest during fight week because of illness.
Afterwards, Parker said: “Now I want to ask who is next? Who can I fight next for the world title? I want to be champion of the world again soon. I will fight anyone and everyone.”
